Now that you’ve had a chance to meet our Secessionist-in-Chief Rick Perry, it’s time to meet his wife, Anita Thigpen Perry. As the longest serving First Lady of Texas, you’d think we would know all about her. However, she’s a very private person, doing whatever it is she does behind the scenes. A registered nurse, Mrs. Perry is no stranger to potential conflicts of interest, having worked in several lobbying jobs. When her husband's reign of error began in 2002, she stopped working briefly, then resumed her career the following year, reportedly to help with her children's college expenses.
Today’s Austin Statesman has some revealing insights into Mrs. Perry’s involvement with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA):
Much of Texas first lady Anita Perry's $60,000-a-year salary at an Austin nonprofit comes indirectly from Gov. Rick Perry's political donors, state contractors and companies that do business with the state or have issues before the Legislature.
Of 37 major donors to the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault during Anita Perry's tenure as a fundraiser for the group, only three have no ties to the governor or state business.
Anita Perry is paid out of the nonprofit's pool of money that includes these contributions. The group also receives grants from state agencies, including the governor's office.
Donating to the TAASA has become just one more legal way for those with an interest in state government to get close to Texas' first family...
In 2003, the group reported to the Internal Revenue Service that it had received no donations of $5,000 or more, the minimum required to be disclosed in public IRS filings.
In Anita Perry's first year raising money for the nonprofit, major donations jumped to $100,000 — with all the money coming from state contractors, lobbyists or donors to the governor's political account.
All told, more than 70 percent of the $634,500 in large donations given to the group between 2004 and 2009 came from businesses or individuals with ties to the governor. The group has not yet filed its formal statements with the IRS for 2010.
Okay... that's not that unusual. After all, this is Texas, but follow along below the growing Cloud of Suspicion for more..
A quick perusal of the TAASA Web Site reveals - surprise - no mention of Mrs. Perry. Interestingly, their most recent IRS Form 990 IRS Form 990 report linked from the site is for 2008.
Page 22 of the Form 990 notes that:
Lobbying activities were related to appropriation of a state mandated fee placed on adult-oriented businesses to raise money for sexual assault prevention, counseling and treatment.
This sounds like a pretty reasonable idea. Despite what you hear about Texas being in the heart of the Bible Belt, and everyone being some sort of uptight right-wing Fundamentalist, there's plenty of "adult-oriented businesses" thriving here. It's one of the few sectors of Texas business that's drought-resistant. There's no real interest in shutting down these businesses; after all, they're part of the "Texas Miracle".
Any business operation in Texas - especially those that are cash-based - offer the exciting possibility of financial shenanigans. Nearly every business is hit with some sort of "fee". This is a key point to remember about politics in Texas. Don't be talking about “taxes”. While much is made of the fact that Texas has no state income tax, they're more than making up for it in property taxes, sales taxes, and fees.
There are fees on lots and lots of things, and the money raised by these fees moves around in some very mysterious ways.
Money in general in Texas moves in some very mysterious ways, and with the increased scrutiny of our Secessionist-in-Chief as he swaggers towards the White House, it looks like forensic accounting will be another booming employment option here in the Lone Star State. Stay tuned... we're just getting started.
P.S. For more on crony capitalism under the Perry reign of error, check out Libby Shaw's excellent diary.